1Po dlouhé době, ve třetím roce sucha, dostal Eliáš slovo Hospodinovo: „Jdi, ukaž se Achabovi. Hodlám na zemi seslat déšť.“ 2Eliáš se tedy šel ukázat Achabovi. V Samaří panoval velký hlad. 3Achab si tehdy zavolal Obadiáše, správce paláce. (Obadiáš hluboce ctil Hospodina. 4Když Jezábel vraždila Hospodinovy proroky, Obadiáš jich sto vzal, ukryl je po padesáti ve dvou jeskyních a obstarával jim jídlo a vodu.) 5Achab Obadiášovi řekl: „Pojďme ke všem vodním pramenům a ke všem potokům v zemi – snad se někde ještě najde čerstvá tráva, abychom zachovali naživu koně i mezky a nepřišli o dobytek.“ 6Rozdělili si tedy zem, že ji projdou. Achab vyrazil jedním směrem a Obadiáš druhým. 7Obadiáš šel svou cestou a hle – naproti mu jde Eliáš! Jakmile ho Obadiáš poznal, padl před ním na tvář: „Jsi to ty, můj pane, Eliáši?“ zvolal. 8„Ano,“ odpověděl mu. „Jdi oznámit svému pánovi: ‚Eliáš je tu.‘“ 9„Co jsem komu udělal?“ zvolal Obadiáš. „Proč vydáváš svého služebníka do rukou Achabovi? Vždyť mě zabije! 10Jakože je živ Hospodin, tvůj Bůh, není národ ani království, kde tě můj pán nedal hledat. A když řekli: ‚Není tu,‘ muselo se v tom království nebo národě přísahat, že tě nenašli. 11A ty teď říkáš: ‚Jdi oznámit svému pánovi – Eliáš je tu!‘ 12Jakmile od tebe odejdu, Hospodinův duch tě odnese kdoví kam. Já s tou zprávou přijdu k Achabovi, a když tě nenajde, zabije mě. Přitom tvůj služebník od mládí hluboce ctí Hospodina. 13Neví snad můj pán, co jsem udělal, když Jezábel vraždila Hospodinovy proroky? Ukryl jsem sto Hospodinových proroků po padesáti ve dvou jeskyních a obstarával jim chléb a vodu. 14A ty teď říkáš: ‚Jdi oznámit svému pánovi – Eliáš je tu.‘ Vždyť mě zabije!“ 15Eliáš mu odpověděl: „Jakože je živ Hospodin zástupů, před jehož tváří stojím, dnes se mu ukážu.“ 16Obadiáš se tedy vydal za Achabem, aby mu to oznámil. Achab ihned vyrazil Eliášovi naproti. 17„To jsi ty, ten škůdce Izraele?!“ zavolal na něj, jakmile ho uviděl. 18„Já Izraeli neškodím,“ odpověděl mu Eliáš. „To děláš ty a dům tvého otce, protože opouštíte Hospodinovy příkazy a ty následuješ baaly. 19Svolej ke mně na horu Karmel všechen izraelský lid a také těch čtyři sta padesát Baalových proroků a čtyři sta proroků Ašery, kteří jedí z Jezábelina stolu.“ 20Achab obeslal všechny Izraelce a shromáždil je na horu Karmel. 21Eliáš předstoupil před lid. „Jak dlouho se budete kývat na obě strany?“ řekl jim. „Je-li Hospodin Bohem, následujte ho! Je-li jím Baal, následujte jeho!“ Lid mu na to neodpověděl ani slovo. 22„Já sám jsem zbyl jako jediný prorok Hospodinův,“ řekl Eliáš lidu, „ale Baalových proroků je čtyři sta padesát. 23Dejte nám dva býky. Ať si z nich jednoho vyberou, rozporcují ho a položí na dříví, ale ať je nezapalují. Já připravím toho druhého býka a také ho položím na dříví a nezapálím. 24Budete vzývat jméno svých bohů a já budu vzývat jméno Hospodinovo. Bůh, který odpoví ohněm, ten je Bůh.“ Na to všechen lid odpověděl: „Ano, správně!“ 25„Vyberte si jednoho býka,“ řekl pak Eliáš Baalovým prorokům, „a připravte ho jako první, protože vás je víc. Vzývejte jméno svých bohů, ale oheň nezapalujte.“ 26Vzali tedy býka, jak jim navrhl, připravili ho a vzývali jméno Baalovo od rána až do poledne: „Baali, vyslyš nás!“ Neozval se ani hlásek, žádná odpověď. Jen poskakovali kolem oltáře, který udělali. 27Kolem poledne se jim Eliáš začal posmívat: „Křičte hlasitěji, vždyť je to bůh! Třeba se zapovídal nebo si šel ulevit. Možná není doma anebo spí – tak ať se probudí!“ 28Křičeli, co mohli, a podle svého zvyku se bodali noži a oštěpy, až z nich crčela krev. 29Minulo poledne a oni stále pokračovali ve svém křepčení až do doby večerní moučné oběti. Neozval se ani hlásek, žádná odpověď, žádná odezva. 30Tehdy Eliáš vyzval lid: „Pojďte ke mně.“ Když k němu všichni přistoupili, Eliáš opravil zbořený Hospodinův oltář. 31Vzal dvanáct kamenů podle počtu kmenů, jež vzešly z Jákoba, který dostal slovo Hospodinovo: „Budeš se jmenovat Izrael.“ 32Eliáš z těch kamenů postavil v Hospodinově jménu oltář a kolem něj udělal strouhu, do níž by se vešly dvě míry zrní. 33Narovnal dřevo, rozporcoval býka, položil na dřevo 34a řekl: „Naplňte čtyři džbery vodou a polijte oběť i dřevo.“ Pak řekl: „Znovu.“ Když to udělali znovu, řekl: „Ještě potřetí.“ Když to udělali potřetí, 35voda se roztékala kolem oltáře a zaplnila i strouhu. 36Potom, v čas večerní oběti, přistoupil prorok Eliáš a pravil: „Hospodine, Bože Abrahamův, Izákův a Izraelův, dnes se pozná, že ty jsi Bůh Izraele a já jsem tvůj služebník a že jsem toto vše udělal na tvůj příkaz. 37Odpověz mi, Hospodine, odpověz mi. Ať tento lid pozná, že ty, Hospodine, jsi Bůh, a že jejich srdce obrátíš zpět.“ 38Vtom spadl Hospodinův oheň a pohltil oběť i dřevo, ba i ty kameny a hlínu, dokonce i vodu ve strouze vypil. 39Jakmile to lid spatřil, všichni padli na tvář a volali: „Hospodin je Bůh! Hospodin je Bůh!“ 40Eliáš jim přikázal: „Zajměte Baalovy proroky! Žádný ať neunikne.“ A když je zajali, Eliáš je odvedl k potoku Kíšon a tam je pobil. 41Potom řekl Achabovi: „Vzhůru, jez a pij! Už je slyšet hukot deště.“ 42Achab se tedy odešel najíst a napít. Eliáš vystoupil na vrchol Karmelu a schoulil se na zemi, hlavu mezi koleny. 43Pak řekl svému mládenci: „Vzhůru, jdi se podívat na moře.“ Vyšel se tedy rozhlédnout. „Nic tam není,“ řekl. „Udělej to sedmkrát,“ odpověděl Eliáš. 44Teprve posedmé mládenec zvolal: „Vidím, jak od moře stoupá obláček, ne větší než dlaň.“ Tehdy mu Eliáš řekl: „Jdi vyřídit Achabovi: Zapřáhni a jeď, než tě zastaví liják!“ 45Mezitím nebe pozvolna zčernalo mračny, zvedl se vítr a spustil se liják. Achab zapřáhl a vyrazil do Jizreelu. 46S Eliášem ale byla ruka Hospodinova, takže si podkasal oděv a doběhl do Jizreelu dříve než on.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 ELIJAH MEETS OBADIAH. (1Ki. 18:1-16)
the third year--In the New Testament, it is said there was no rain "for the space of three years and six months" [
Jas 5:17]. The early rain fell in our March, the latter rain in our October. Though Ahab might have at first ridiculed Elijah's announcement, yet when neither of these rains fell in their season, he was incensed against the prophet as the cause of the national judgment, and compelled him, with God's direction, to consult his safety in flight. This was six months after the king was told there would be neither dew nor rain, and from this period the three years in this passage are computed.
Go, show thyself unto Ahab--The king had remained obdurate and impenitent. Another opportunity was to be given him of repentance, and Elijah was sent in order to declare to him the cause of the national judgment, and to promise him, on condition of his removing it, the immediate blessing of rain.
2 Elijah went--a marvellous proof of the natural intrepidity of this prophet, of his moral courage, and his unfaltering confidence in the protecting care of God, that he ventured to approach the presence of the raging lion.
there was a sore famine in Samaria--Elijah found that the famine was pressing with intense severity in the capital. Corn must have been obtained for the people from Egypt or the adjoining countries, else life could not have been sustained for three years; but Ahab, with the chamberlain of his royal household, is represented as giving a personal search for pasture to his cattle. On the banks of the rivulets, grass, tender shoots of grass, might naturally be expected; but the water being dried up, the verdure would disappear. In the pastoral districts of the East it would be reckoned a most suitable occupation still for a king or chief to go at the head of such an expedition. Ranging over a large tract of country, Ahab had gone through one district, Obadiah through another.
3 Obadiah feared the Lord greatly--Although he did not follow the course taken by the Levites and the majority of pious Israelites at that time of emigration into Judah (
2Chr 11:13-16), he was a secret and sincere worshipper. He probably considered the violent character of the government, and his power of doing some good to the persecuted people of God as a sufficient excuse for his not going to worship in Jerusalem.
4 an hundred prophets--not men endowed with the extraordinary gifts of the prophetic office, but who were devoted to the service of God, preaching, praying, praising, &c. (
1Sam 10:10-12).
fed them with bread and water--These articles are often used to include sustenance of any kind. As this succor must have been given them at the hazard, not only of his place, but his life, it was a strong proof of his attachment to the true religion.
7 Obadiah was in the way . . . Elijah met him--Deeming it imprudent to rush without previous intimation into Ahab's presence, the prophet solicited Obadiah to announce his return to Ahab. The commission, with a delicate allusion to the perils he had already encountered in securing others of God's servants, was, in very touching terms, declined, as unkind and peculiarly hazardous. But Elijah having dispelled all the apprehensions entertained about the Spirit's carrying him away, Obadiah undertook to convey the prophet's message to Ahab and solicit an interview. But Ahab, bent on revenge, or impatient for the appearance of rain, went himself to meet Elijah.
17 Art thou he that troubleth Israel--A violent altercation took place. Ahab thought to awe him into submission, but the prophet boldly and undisguisedly told the king that the national calamity was traceable chiefly to his own and his family's patronage and practice of idolatry. But, while rebuking the sins, Elijah paid all due respect to the high rank of the offender. He urged the king to convene, by virtue of his royal mandate, a public assembly, in whose presence it might be solemnly decided which was the troubler of Israel. The appeal could not well be resisted, and Ahab, from whatever motives, consented to the proposal. God directed and overruled the issue.
19 gather . . . the prophets of Baal . . . the prophets of the groves--From the sequel it appears that the former only came. The latter, anticipating some evil, evaded the king's command.
which eat at Jezebel's table--that is, not at the royal table where she herself dined, but they were maintained from her kitchen establishment (see on
1Sam 20:25 and
1Kgs 4:22). They were the priests of Astarte, the Zidonian goddess.
20 mount Carmel--is a bold, bluff promontory, which extends from the western coast of Palestine, at the bay of Acre, for many miles eastward, to the central hills of Samaria. It is a long range, presenting many summits, and intersected by a number of small ravines. The spot where the contest took place is situated at the eastern extremity, which is also the highest point of the whole ridge. It is called El-Mohhraka, "the Burning," or "the Burnt Place." No spot could have been better adapted for the thousands of Israel to have stood drawn up on those gentle slopes. The rock shoots up in an almost perpendicular wall of more than two hundred feet in height, on the side of the vale of Esdraelon. This wall made it visible over the whole plain, and from all the surrounding heights, where gazing multitudes would be stationed.
21 Elijah said unto all the people, How long halt ye?--They had long been attempting to conjoin the service of God with that of Baal. It was an impracticable union and the people were so struck with a sense of their own folly, or dread of the king's displeasure, that they "answered not a word." Elijah proposed to decide for them the controversy between God and Baal by an appeal, not to the authority of the law, for that would have no weight, but by a visible token from Heaven. As fire was the element over which Baal was supposed to preside, Elijah proposed that two bullocks should be slain and placed on separate altars of wood, the one for Baal, and the other for God. On whichever the fire should descend to consume it, the event should determine the true God, whom it was their duty to serve. The proposal, appearing every way reasonable, was received by the people with unanimous approval. The priests of Baal commenced the ceremony by calling on their god. In vain did they continue invoking their senseless deity from morning till noon, and from noon till evening, uttering the most piercing cries, using the most frantic gesticulations, and mingling their blood with the sacrifice. No response was heard. No fire descended. Elijah exposed their folly and imposture with the severest irony and, as the day was far advanced, commenced his operations. Inviting the people to approach and see the entire proceeding, he first repaired an old altar of God, which Jezebel had demolished. Then, having arranged the cut pieces of the bullock, he caused four barrels or jars of water to be dashed all over the altar and round in the trench. Once, twice, a third time this precaution was taken, and then, when he had offered an earnest prayer, the miraculous fire descended (
Lev 9:24;
Judg 6:21;
Judg 13:20;
1Chr 21:26;
2Chr 7:1), and consumed not only the sacrifice, but the very stones of the altar. The impression on the minds of the people was that of admiration mingled with awe; and with one voice they acknowledged the supremacy of Jehovah as the true God. Taking advantage of their excited feelings, Elijah called on them to seize the priestly impostors, and by their blood fill the channel of the river (Kishon), which, in consequence of their idolatries, the drought had dried up--a direction, which, severe and relentless as it seems, it was his duty as God's minister to give (
Deut 15:5;
Deut 18:20). The natural features of the mount exactly correspond with the details of this narrative. The conspicuous summit, 1635 feet above the sea, on which the altars were placed, presents an esplanade spacious enough for the king and the priests of Baal to stand on the one side, and Elijah on the other. It is a rocky soil, on which there is abundance of loose stones, to furnish the twelve stones of which the altar was built--a bed of thick earth, in which a trench could be dug; and yet the earth not so loose that the water poured into it would be absorbed; two hundred fifty feet beneath the altar plateau, there is a perennial fountain, which, being close to the altar of the Lord, might not have been accessible to the people; and whence, therefore, even in that season of severe drought, Elijah could procure those copious supplies of water which he poured over the altar. The distance between this spring and the site of the altar is so short, as to make it perfectly possible to go thrice thither and back again, whereas it would have been impossible once in an afternoon to fetch water from the sea [VAN DE VELDE]. The summit is one thousand feet above the Kishon, which nowhere runs from the sea so close to the base of the mount as just beneath El-Mohhraka; so that the priests of Baal could, in a few minutes, be taken down to the brook (torrent), and slain there.
42 ELIJAH, BY PRAYER, OBTAINS RAIN. (
1Kgs 18:41-46)
Ahab went up to eat and to drink--Ahab, kept in painful excitement by the agonizing scene, had eaten nothing all the day. He was recommended to refresh himself without a moment's delay; and, while the king was thus occupied, the prophet, far from taking rest, was absorbed in prayer for the fulfilment of the promise (
1Kgs 18:1).
put his face between his knees--a posture of earnest supplication still used.
43 Go up now, look toward the sea--From the place of worship there is a small eminence, which, on the west and northwest side, intercepts the view of the sea [STANLEY; VAN DE VELDE]. It can be ascended in a few minutes, and presents a wide prospect of the Mediterranean. Six times the servant went up, but the sky was clear--the sea tranquil. On the seventh he described the sign of approaching rain [
1Kgs 18:44].
44 Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand--The clearness of the sky renders the smallest speck distinctly visible; and this is in Palestine the uniform precursor of rain. It rises higher and higher, and becomes larger and larger with astonishing celerity, till the whole heaven is black, and the cloud bursts in a deluge of rain.
Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not--either by the river Kishon being suddenly so swollen as to be impassable, or from the deep layer of dust in the arid plain being turned into thick mud, so as to impede the wheels.
45 Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel--now Zerin, a distance of about ten miles. This race was performed in the midst of a tempest of rain. But all rejoiced at it, as diffusing a sudden refreshment over all the land of Jezreel.
46 Elijah . . . girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab--It was anciently, and still is in some countries of the East, customary for kings and nobles to have runners before their chariots, who are tightly girt for the purpose. The prophet, like the Bedouins of his native Gilead, had been trained to run; and, as the Lord was with him, he continued with unabated agility and strength. It was, in the circumstances, a most proper service for Elijah to render. It tended to strengthen the favorable impression made on the heart of Ahab and furnished an answer to the cavils of Jezebel for it showed that he who was so zealous in the service of God, was, at the same time, devotedly loyal to his king. The result of this solemn and decisive contest was a heavy blow and great discouragement to the cause of idolatry. But subsequent events seem to prove that the impressions, though deep, were but partial and temporary.
